EBENSBURG, Pa., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- When public safety officials and other first responders consider interoperability among departments and jurisdictions, hardware such as radios, antenna towers, vehicles, computers and call centers often receive the most attention. However, none of it is likely to work effectively without taking into account the procedural "soft side" of interoperability to ensure coordination among responders and dispatchers. Operational processes such as governance, standard operating procedures, training, exercises and usage experience are crucial in assuring effective emergency communications among departments and municipalities.

Such is the philosophy of L.R. Kimball (www.lrkimball.com), an architecture, engineering and communications technology firm based in Pennsylvania. Its experts will urge the public safety community to focus strongly on the "soft side of interoperability" from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, August 2 at the upcoming APCO International Annual Conference. The conference will be held Sunday, August 1, through Wednesday, August 4, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

"Many communities wrongly overlook the importance of operational processes that support interoperable public safety networks," said Thomas Harmon, (Radio and Wireless Consultant) with L.R. Kimball. "In fact, our experience in planning and implementing interoperable networks shows that these processes -- even more than hardware -- have the greatest impact on ensuring public safety agencies and first responders can talk to each other in a coordinated fashion and deliver the speed and quality of emergency response residents expect."

L.R. Kimball has helped public safety officials in communities nationwide to plan, fund and implement interoperable public safety networks. Its experts have developed supporting tactical and strategic operational plans and have implemented standard operating procedures and governance structures for these networks.

As part of their presentation at the APCO International Annual Conference, L.R. Kimball professionals will offer the following recommendations to support soft-side planning elements for interoperability:

• Governance: Communities must begin improving governance structures at the county and regional levels if interoperability is to succeed, and should establish interoperability regions with a common governance body across multiple counties. These regions can enable a common platform of frequencies that can be shared or interconnected with technology. Without a governance structure, each department will go its own way, producing a "checkerboard" of technical systems that may compromise interoperability.
• Standard operating procedures: States are limited in their ability to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that address the nuances of every community. Therefore, local communities should develop procedures consistent with any state and regional SOPs already in place, and coordinate them with surrounding communities at the agency level.
• Training and exercises: L.R. Kimball believes too little time is spent training public safety officials and first responders in using interoperable resources -- from new frequencies and stockpiled radios to maps and command systems. Effective training and practice can equip responders with valuable experience that can save lives when a real disaster strikes.
• Usage: By the time a multijurisdictional, multidiscipline emergency response incident occurs, responders should be familiar with and comfortable in operating as a cohesive unit. Working hands-on with interoperable equipment and procedures is the only way to gain familiarity.

L.R. Kimball encourages APCO International Annual Conference attendees to visit with its interoperable public safety communications experts at booth 1931 on the show floor. An L.R. Kimball white paper entitled, "Embracing the Soft Side of Interoperability" is also available at www.lrkimball.com/radio.

L.R. Kimball experts will be speaking on additional topics at the APCO Conference such as interoperability planning and governance, next generation cyber security, narrowbanding and multi-band radios and their impact on interoperability.

About L.R. Kimball

Established in 1953, L. R. Kimball, a CDI company (NYSE: CDI), is among the nation's leading professional service companies, offering its clients expertise in architectural services, engineering and communications technology solutions. With a focus on targeted results, expertly managed, L.R. Kimball is committed to offering its diverse public- and private-sector clients a tailored approach, designed to meet their needs and budget. Headquartered in Ebensburg, Pa., the company employs 550 at 10 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. Visit www.lrkimball.com.

SOURCE L.R. Kimball